[Cloud_Strife]

After reading the thread on the GSXR600 about how someone cannot wheelie, someone said something about dropping the gearing to -1. Since I don't really know that much, what does this mean? And will it hurt the bike if I do that?

 

[ZxHunteR]

It means a smaller front sprocket. Its funny because if you cant wheelie a brand new bike, its not the bike. A smaller front sprocket will barely make it wheelie any better.

 

[Cloud_Strife]

well Im not doing any wheelies anyways, but what good does that do for the bike?

 

[ZxHunteR]

Faster acceleration

 

[Cloud_Strife]

Do you have to do anything to counter this change? Like redline is lower or something like that? Can you really explain the process to me?

 

[SkyDork1]

It's the same thing as changing gears on a mountain bike. Want to go faster, use a big sprocket up front and smaller rear. Make it easier to pedal (and accelerate) use a small sprocket in front and b***** in the rear. You're changing the mechanical advantage through different gear ratios. The motor is completely separate from this equation and the characteristics don't change on the motor (ie- it performs the same way and doesn't care whether there's anything hooked up to it or not.)

 

[repsol_23]

Do you have to do anything to counter this change? Like redline is lower or something like that? Can you really explain the process to me?

I was curious as to the same thing. Does anyone know (on the average) what the change does to the speedometer. Primarily, by how much does the speed change when you change the number of teeth on the sprockets?

For example: +/-1 on front/rear means the speed changes by about _____
mph's.

Any insight into this would be greatly appreciated fellas!!!

 

[RayOSV]

Lower gearing does mean faster acceleration but with lower top speed. I'll make up an example that's not too far off. If your stock sprockets are 15 front and 45 rear, that's a 45/15=3.0 ratio. If you then go down one tooth in the front and up 2 in the rear (a common change for faster acceleration and easier wheelies), the ratio becomes 47/14=3.56. (3.56-3.0)/3.0=0.12 or 12% change.

This means that you would have roughly 12% more acceleration (noticeable) and your speedo (assuming it's driven off the transmission output shaft and not the front wheel) would read 12% higher than before. So if you had an indicated 60 mph before the change, your speedo would read about 67 mph after the change.

See, math does come in handy at times.

You would have about 12% lower top speed and approach redline faster with the lower gearing.

 

[Cloud_Strife]

Not sure if thats a good or bad thing.

 

[Hagios]

To make sure everybody understands one other important aspect here, one must realize that top speed is a product of horsepower, as well as gearing. Throwing in a +2 front will not raise your top speed appreciably. It will appreciably slow your rate of acceleration down, and oftentimes, appreciably raise your gas mileage. But you can't "gain" top speed by making your ratios taller.

Not that it's been asked, yet. But I've seen this misconception many times, now.

 

[RayOSV]

Not sure if thats a good or bad thing.

It's personal preference really. Depends on what's important to you. If you want every ounce of acceleration you can get, changing the sprockets is relatively easy to do. Personally, I'm fine with stock gearing.

Hagios, you mean I can't break 200 mph simply by putting on a larger front sprocket?